Financial Times: EU is preparing to abandon simplified visa regime with Russia

FT sources report that EU foreign ministers are initiating a break in the 2007 visa facilitation agreement between Russia and the EU. This should happen at the two-day ministerial meeting starting in Prague on 30 August.

“It is inappropriate for Russian tourists to walk around our cities, along our marinas. We must send a signal to the population of Russia that this war is unacceptable, ”the source quoted the publication as saying.

After the termination of this agreement, Russians who want to obtain a visa will have to provide more documents for registration. The process will become more expensive (the fee may increase from 35 to 80 euros) and take much longer.

The visa facilitation agreement between Russia and the EU countries entered into force on June 1, 2007. The agreement provided for both facilitating the procedures for issuing single-entry visas and expanding the list of persons who are eligible for multiple-entry visas. Entrepreneurs, journalists, drivers (engaged in international transportation), scientists, cultural workers, close relatives of people living in the EU countries got into it. Some categories of citizens have also received exemption from visa fees: relatives of citizens of EU member states, students, schoolchildren, the disabled and their companions.

Source: Financial Times